Drama about ex-Bundesliga star
Crime outnumbered: Müller and Vancouver reach semi-finals
11/23/2025 – 7:57 a.mReading time: 2 minutes
The FC Bayern legend is celebrating historic success with his new club – and is playing a key role in it. On the other hand, an old friend is very unlucky.
Thomas Müller’s title dream in Major League Soccer (MLS) lives on even after the dramatic duel with Heung-Min Son. The 2014 German world champion and the Vancouver Whitecaps won the quarterfinals of the play-offs against Los Angeles FC 4:3 on penalties; after extra time the score was 2:2 (2:2, 2:0) – Vancouver played the entire overtime with a minority. For the first time in the club’s history, the Whitecaps are now in the semi-finals, next weekend’s opponents will be San Diego FC or Minnesota United. The two teams meet on Monday.
Müller once again played a significant role, preparing the score for 2-0 and was substituted after regular time. On the other side, Son was the tragic hero of the evening. The former Bundesliga star first saved LA with a late brace in extra time (60th/90th+5) – and then put his attempt in the penalty shootout against the post. Vancouver defender Mathias Laborda scored decisively against former French national goalkeeper Hugo Lloris.
In the first half, Emmanuel Sabbi (39′) and Laborda (45’+1) put the Whitecaps in the lead with a double strike, and Müller initiated the second goal: his header caused danger after a corner, and Laborda converted the rebound. Vancouver led until the final phase in front of 55,000 home fans, then events came to a head: In stoppage time, defender Tristan Blackmon was shown yellow-red for repeated foul play (90+2), just moments later the South Korean Son converted a direct free kick to equalize (90+5).
In extra time, Los Angeles had a few chances, and in added time the guests even hit the crossbar twice in quick succession (120+2) – Vancouver had the better nerve in the penalty shootout.